Remotely Connecting to WCER office PC: Mac

The purpose of this article is to provide instructions for remotely connecting to your WCER office PC from a Mac using a VPN. This may be useful if you need to work from a remote location, and you have special applications installed on your office PC that would be difficult or impossible to use or configure on your Mac.

Topics

Requirements

  • GlobalProtect VPN
    The Mac you are using must have GlobalProtect installed and configured for connecting to WCER resources.
    NOTE: If you do not have GlobalProtect installed or configured, please see the WCER KnowledgeBase article here, or visit the link at the bottom of this page.
  • Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop)
    The Mac your are using must have Microsoft's Windows App installed.
    WCER-owned Macs:  If you are using a WCER-owned Mac, Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop) should already be installed. If it is not, then please use Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub to install it onto the Mac.
    Personally-owned Macs:  You can obtain Windows App from the AppStore on a personally owned Mac, provided that you have an Apple ID. Windows App is a free application.

 

 

Establishing a Remote Connection


1) Sign in to GlobalProtect if it isn't already connected.

2) Open Windows App. You can find it either in the dock or in the Applications folder of Macintosh HD. (see image below)
Macintosh HD/Applications/Windows App


3) Click on the + icon at the top of the Windows App application window and select Add PC from the pull-down menu.
Choose Add PC from the + pull-down menu


4) Configure the General tab. The settings should look similar to the image below.

  • Enter "wcerXXXXXX.ad.education.wisc.edu" into the PC name textfield, replacing the XXXXXX with your office PC’s 6-digit WCER number.
    NOTE:  The WCER number can be found on the WCER asset sticker affixed to the case/tower of the PC, or Tech Services can provide it to you. On older systems, it may be on a red asset sticker.
  • Enter whatever name you wish within the Friendly name textfield.
    Add PC - General Tab

5) Configure the Display tab. NOTE: You may wish to experiment with these settings depending on your display.

  • Select the Use all monitors checkbox.
  • Make sure Fit session to window is selected
  • Optimize for Retina displays is optional and you may need to experiment.
  • Click on the Add button.
    Add PC- Display tab


5) Double-click on your newly created item listed under Saved PCs or select it and press the Return key to start the connection.
Saved PCs > My Work PC

6) Enter your WCER username and password using the soe-ad domain qualifier.
    For example:  soe-ad\jdoe17
Enter username and password whnb prompted

You should now be logging into your office PC remotely.

When you wish to stop, just logout as you would normally when you are in your office.

 

Related Documents

 



Keywords:
VPN, Mac, PC, work, home, remote, desktop, microsoft, apple, WCER 
Doc ID:
68170
Owned by:
Dave P. in WCER
Created:
2016-11-01
Updated:
2024-09-30
Sites:
WCER